Mitchel Ray Woods

Technical Sergeant, U. S. Army

Silver Star

Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 142 (May 17, 1944) The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Mitchel R. Woods (ASN: 20808609), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 2 December 1943. As second in command of an Infantry reconnaissance patrol instructed to obtain information concerning enemy strength and installations in an area in Italy, Sergeant Woods penetrated the hostile lines and moved forward to a draw. When the group was unexpectedly subjected to an intense concentration of mortar fire, the officer in charge of the patrol started for assistance and was captured by the enemy. Sergeant Woods assumed command, reorganized the patrol, and directed withdrawal of the men. Unwilling to desert a wounded comrade who was unable to move, he exposed himself to enemy mortar fire to carry the man on his back for half a mile to a position of safety. Thus he was responsible, not only for the safe return of his patrol, but for saving the life of a comrade. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.